Practice Tour: Alfy Hill

Don Callahan

08/04/2009

SHALLOTTE, N.C. --- Unlike last summer, West Brunswick head coach Jimmy Fletcher heads into the 2009 football season with a big known commodity on his roster – Alfy Hill.

"For him, my expectations are just so much higher," Fletcher said. "Last year, we just didn't know. I knew he could run, but I didn't know if he was physical or the other things that goes with football.

"But this year – as he and I have talked about a lot – I have high expectations for his leadership, he needs to be the first one in everything we do. When we play he's the one that needs to get [the team] up, and I think he should just dominate a football game. If he plays the way he's capable with his God-given ability, I think he can really create havoc for the offense."

A year ago, Fletcher didn't know what to expect out of Hill, who is now 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds. Hill missed his entire sophomore season with a freakish injury.

Since the end of last season, Hill has taken on more of a leadership role.

"I pick a couple guys up to go work out that don't have rides," Hill said. "We work out everyday – on the weekend also."

Technically, Hill will play MIKE linebacker in West Brunswick's defense. However, this season he can be found all over the defense.

"With our defense, we can move him anywhere," Fletcher said. "We can move him to strong-side, the weak-side, we can move him over the center – our MIKE is our guy that we move everywhere. Every play, he's not going to line up at MIKE – he might line up on the tight end on one play, next play he may line up on the tackle on the weak-side, and the next play he may line up over the center."

Hill is a perfect fit for the role because of his versatility.

"He can play standing up, he can play with his hand on the ground, so I think [MIKE] will be the right mixture for him," Fletcher said.

Hill's focus will almost exclusively be defense.

"We want him totally fresh [on defense]," Fletcher said. "When it gets crunch time, he'll be in there at tight end for blocking and plus he has great hands. In passing leagues, he'd line him up wide on the goal line, throw the ball up to him, and let him kind of rebound."

With 18 seniors returning, include many that will be three-year starters, expectations are high for the season.

"We're looking to win it all," Hill said.

West Brunswick's season kicks off on August 28 against Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Socastee. Before that point, Hill hopes to make a verbal commitment to his future college.

Hill says he'll choose between Alabama and North Carolina.

"The coaches are real cool [at both those schools] and I could see myself fitting into those places," Hill said.